Electrode lead with integrated attachment mechanism

Abstract

An electrode for use with a cochlear implant system includes an electrode array with electrode contacts distributed along the electrode array, and an electrode lead adjacent to the electrode array. The electrode lead has (1) a flexible region configured to allow the electrode lead to bend, (2) an attachment mechanism with an internal portion positioned within and along a longitudinal direction of the electrode lead, and an external portion configured to be bent and secured to bone, the external portion having an attachment element configured to secure the attachment mechanism to the bone, and (3) a securing element extending from the electrode lead and located further back from the flexible region toward a rear end of the electrode lead, the securing element configured to secure the electrode lead to the bone. A method of securing the electrode to bone is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrode for use with a cochlear implant system, the electrode comprising:
 an electrode array with electrode contacts distributed along the electrode array; and 
 an electrode lead adjacent to the electrode array, the electrode lead having:
 an integrated attachment mechanism having an internal portion that transitions to an external portion, which is external to the electrode lead, wherein:
 the internal portion is positioned within and along a longitudinal direction of the electrode lead; and 
 the external portion is configured to be bent and secured to bone, the external portion having an attachment element configured to secure the attachment mechanism to the bone; 
 
 a flexible region configured to allow a portion of the electrode lead to bend relative to the internal portion of the attachment mechanism, the flexible region located further back toward a proximal end of the electrode lead from where the external portion becomes external to the electrode lead; and 
 a securing element extending from the electrode lead and located further back from the flexible region toward the proximal end of the electrode lead such that the flexible region is located between the securing element and where the external portion becomes external to the electrode lead, the securing element configured to secure the electrode lead to the bone. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible region begins approximately where the internal portion of the attachment mechanism transitions to the external portion. 
     
     
       3. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible region has a surface profile with a saw-toothed configuration, a sinusoidal configuration, a square wave configuration, a half wave rectified sinusoidal wave configuration, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The electrode of  claim 1 , further comprising a second securing element disposed on an external surface of the electrode lead, the second securing element configured to hold the external portion of the attachment mechanism to the external surface. 
     
     
       5. The electrode of  claim 4 , wherein the second securing element is located within the flexible region or located further back from the flexible region toward the rear end of the electrode lead. 
     
     
       6. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the external portion of the attachment mechanism includes two or more wires disposed around the electrode lead. 
     
     
       7. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible region allows a proximal end of the electrode lead to be disposed approximately 90 degrees relative to a distal end of the electrode lead. 
     
     
       8. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the external portion of the attachment mechanism includes a sleeve disposed around the electrode lead. 
     
     
       9. The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the internal portion of the attachment mechanism extends into a portion of the electrode array. 
     
     
       10. The electrode of  claim 1 , further comprising a basal stiffener configured to surround an external surface of the electrode array and the electrode lead where the electrode lead connects to the electrode array. 
     
     
       11. A cochlear implant system having an electrode according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       12. A method of securing an electrode to bone, the electrode for use with a cochlear implant system, the method comprising:
 providing the electrode according to  claim 1 , 
 bending the external portion of the attachment mechanism, 
 bending the electrode lead at the flexible region, and 
 securing the attachment element and a proximal end of the electrode lead to the bone. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible region begins approximately where the internal portion of the attachment mechanism transitions to the external portion. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible region has a surface profile with a saw-toothed configuration, a sinusoidal configuration, a square wave configuration, a half wave rectified sinusoidal wave configuration, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrode further includes a second securing element disposed on an external surface of the electrode lead, the method further comprising holding the external portion of the attachment mechanism to the external surface using the second securing element. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second securing element is located within the flexible region or located further back from the flexible region toward the rear end of the electrode lead. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the external portion of the attachment mechanism includes two or more wires disposed around the electrode lead. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the secured attachment element and the secured proximal end of the electrode lead are disposed approximately 90 degrees relative to a distal end of the electrode lead. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the external portion of the attachment mechanism includes a sleeve disposed around the electrode lead. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the internal portion of the attachment mechanism extends into a portion of the electrode array.